Add-ons and extras are like breathing air for some truck and SUV owners. They have to have them and sometimes just want to have a little extra. Last week several product lines were rolled out that not only look good, but also help with safety.
RealWheels Corp’s TheRealStep is a stainless steel cover for the plastic sidebar that is present on quite a few makes and models of trucks and SUVs. Apparently this side step can be slippery, which can be dangerous in icy or wet conditions. The stainless steel cover slips over the original plastic cover and adds a bit more room for the foot at the same time. After debuting on the SPEED channel, the product started to sell like hot cakes. TheRealStep fits a variety of vehicles, so is popular among dealers. TheRealStep designers also came up with a LED version. Again, safety along with looks - very smart!
Another truck add-on is Tailgate Accessories’ LivingStep. This step can be installed on the tailgate of many trucks in a short amount of time. As the name suggests, it is a moving part that can be turned into both a step (to climb into the bed of the vehicle) and a bed extender. Climbing in and out of the bed of a truck can be hazardous. Repetition of that motion can cause lasting effects. The LivingStep addresses these problems and allows the truck owner to climb easily into the back to load or unload cargo. The test will be if the hinge on the step can hold up to weather and extreme conditions.
Both products not only have to opportunity to save someone from a doctor’s visit (or the dentist for a tooth cap for that matter), but they are also gizmos and gadgets that can be shown off to neighbors and friends.
Many states either have current bans in place or are working on legislation to completely ban cell phone usage in moving vehicles - or at least make people go hands-free. Colorado is working on legislation (called Erica’s bill) to ban handheld mobile. Last fall 9 year old Erica Forney was riding her bike home from school when an automobile driver, who had just hung up from a cell phone call, was distracted and hit and killed Erica. California has already implemented no hand-held and no texting laws and there are many people who won’t stop until mobile phone use in a moving vehicle is completely banned.
Approximately 22% of states currently have no legislation on the books. That means that about 78% of states (the vast majority) believe that being distracted by cell phone use in one way or another is dangerous.
By now most people have talked on the phone while behind the wheel. We all know that our attention is on the road, at the most, half the time while on the phone. I’ve heard some unbelievable statements from people who don’t want to give up the phone, “I drive better when I’m on the phone”, “It’s better if I hold the phone rather than have an earpiece - I pay more attention”. We need AA for phone users - Gabbers Anonymous. Pandora’s box is open; people won’t stop making phone calls while driving unless a monetary fee is on the line.
Click here to link to the most recent mobile phone laws by state. An interesting thing to note how people with learners permits or kids under 18 are being banned from using their phones at all. My friend Tammy got in an accident (her fault - there were 6 giggling teenagers going to lunch) just hours after she took the river’s test. And that was before the days of prolific mobile use.
I’ve got to go, it’s difficult to type, operate the stick shift and talk to my financial advisor at the same time.
The manufacturers of the Toyota Sienna have notified the National Highway Traraffic Safety Admin that it will voluntarily fix a carpet issue that it has been having with its 2004s. The carpet trim near the accelerator is secured by a clip. If the clip is kicked off or otherwise dislodged, the trim can interfere with the pedal and produce uncontrollable accelleration. Toyota will replace this clip at no cost for anyone who brings the car in to a Toyota dealer. Currently the only Siennas that this reportedly affects are the models manufactured between January and July of 2003.
This has not been mandated by the NHTSA, as a matter of fact it was not investigated under the Safety Act. Toyota is calling it a safety improvement campaign. It was a voluntary choice by Toyota after only several cases were submitted.
The term “Safety Improvement Campaign” might make some people question Toyota, after all, they should voluntarily fix something if the designers created a problem that could result in death. Toyota should take it upon themselves to put out the word before the NHTSA has to intervene and use taxpayer money on a full scale recall.
Only four cases were cited in the ODI investigation. However, it looks as if Toyota knew of the defect as early as April 2003 - after the first had been put on the market, and before the last was manufactured. An incident occurred during testing, so Toyota decided to alter the design, but it took them until June 03.
So why did it take Toyota until January of 09 to issue the “Safety Improvement Campaign?” Why, when during their own testing they saw that unwanted acceleration occurred, did it take them years to own up?
Owners of these early 2004 Siennas can contact Toyota for more information.
Hyundai Airbags
2008 was a bad year for Hyundai. Hyundai has had a string of problems with its airbags: non-deployment, inadvertent deployment and faulty notification lights have been a complaint of many consumers. The Elantra, the Santa Fe and Tuscon have all been cited in 2008 investigations by the Nat. Hwy Traffic Safety Admin.
Preliminary NHTSA reports (early 08) indicate that the airbag problems could be due to a design problem.
Remember the mid-90s Jettas with their oddly placed cup holders? You couldn’t get anything bigger than an espresso shot cup into the area without it being tipped a bit. The Hyundai designers put the cup holders on top of the airbag console. Driving means bumps in the road and quick braking. Beverages are going to spill – even in cars of the conscientious driver.
Question: How can Hyundai have so many problems with their airbag systems? Don’t they have actual humans drive in older cars before sitting in front of the drafting table? Isn’t this a technology that has been tested and tried and tried and tested? Where is the breakdown happening? Budget cuts? Regulation control breakdown? People would feel safer without an airbag than an airbag that might not deploy, or be willing to forego the annoyance of a constantly illuminated airbag light because of a morning latte spill.
So far the NHSTA website does not show a recall for any Hyundai airbags, but the suspension on the 04 Sonata has been recalled.
Hyundai cars have also had instances of severe corrosion of the frame, which have caused problems with steering and other suspension failures. Reports of severe corrosion resulting in suspension control arm detachment are also under investigation. The suspension control itself is also under investigation. Problems with corrosion and suspension have been reported on the Sonata and the Santa Fe.
